Of "Made in America" and what our Grandparents told us.

The former Pontiac Dealership building on Main Street will open soon as a Child Care. During remodeling, the Laverne's Pastry sign was revealed. Weeks later, people are still reminiscing about the sweets as if it were yesterday, not over 20 years ago.

What about the business that was the building's occupant for the last 20 years, also selling a "made in America" product?

Domestic car sales dwindled in the 1970's. While there were issues with management, union demands & design, there was also the pro-foreign car stance from assorted car magazines, Consumer Reports &  media touting foreign models. It became a sign of "having arrived" and the paying public converted rather than  hold the domestic manufacturer's feet to the fire. As the decades passed, all across the country domestic car sales forced dealer closings, lost jobs/tax revenue. The local business leaders are the stalwarts of the community, active in and backing organizations such as schools, Chamber, Rotary, etc. As the malls sprouted the countryside touting bargains, ( often from out of state giant corporations), Main Street struggled. So it was with the Pontiac Dealer, which closed its doors in 2008.

 Another change through the decades was many other American made items, as cars were no longer purchased, being replaced by cheaper foreign wares. Add one stop shopping and now, many younger people know only "the mall".
Grandfathers told us Japanese "stuff" was junk, ( they'd served in WWII ) and stuck to American made. They drove around the town for their purchases. Grandmothers told us it was better when the stores closed Saturday at 6 PM and re-opened Monday at 10 AM. Week-ends were for family & rest. Grandparents, told us to work hard, save our money, purchase only what we could afford ( that big screen TV doesn't pay for college tuition). They stated how sad it was to see empty buildings decay as new ones were being built nearby. They lamented the fact that their children didn't come back from college and they seldom saw the far-away grandchildren.

  Each generation experiences change---whether good or bad is in the eye of the beholder.

The YMCA has taken this old building, remodeled,  is providing jobs and a service. They still echo the sprit of small towns were one sees family and friends from 9 months to 90+ years old. Kudos !